Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about protest and reform in the United States. (For background information, check the bibliographic records for dates then review the relevant sections of the American Memory timeline.) Related primary source collections highlighted on the TPS-Barat Primary Source Nexus are linked to below. The story may be in digital or print form. It could be nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even a song. Click on each thumbnail image below to … [Read more...]

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about immigration to the United States. (For background information, review the following: Immigration to the United States, 1851-1900 and Immigrants in the Progressive Era). The story may be in digital or print form. It could be nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even a song. These questions about immigration can help you get started. Then click on each thumbnail image below to access the full size primary source. You may also use … [Read more...]

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1945-1968. The wartime economy led to new economic prosperity for the United States and expanded opportunities for many, but certainly not all its citizens. As a result, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American women took up the fight for civil rights and equality. This was also the era that spawned the Cold War. The story about era featuring the best of times and worst of times may be in digital or … [Read more...]

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1929-1945. At the depths of the great depression, which followed the stock market crash in October 1929, over one-quarter of the American workforce was out of work. But President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted a variety of "New Deal" programs and told U.S. citizens that there was nothing to fear but fear itself. Although the United States tried to stay out of World War II, eventually, the wartime economy would … [Read more...]

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1900-1929. The Progressive Era was one of economic growth and prosperity but also one in which many worked to make American society a better and safer place through environmental, business and government reforms. The story about this time of growth and reform may be in digital or print form. It could be nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even a song. Click on each thumbnail image below to access the full size primary … [Read more...]

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1876-1900 when industrial growth helped transform the United States, producing a new class of wealthy industrialists, a prosperous middle class, and a vastly expanded working class comprised of millions of migrants from rural areas and new immigrants from overseas. The story about this time of technological breakthroughs and cultural shifts may be in digital or print form. It could be nonfiction, fiction, poetry, … [Read more...]

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about a timeframe from the period 1861-1877 when the United States was wracked by civil war, fighting to preserve the Union and end slavery. This costly war (recent research puts the death toll at 750,000) raged for four years but putting the country back together took much longer. The story may focus on either aspect of this time period and may be in digital or print form. It could be nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even a song. … [Read more...]

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1815-1860, when the United States expanded dramatically geographically, displacing native peoples. But this time was also one of striving for social reforms (promoting temperance, creating public school systems, improving the treatment of prisoners, the insane, and the poor, abolishing slavery, and gaining equal rights for women). The story may focus on one aspect of this time period or both and may be in digital … [Read more...]

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the early years of the United States as a young, new nation. The story may be in digital or print form and could be nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even a song. Click on each thumbnail image below to access the full size primary source. You may also use this primary set for a found poetry activity (click the previous link). Be sure to take a look at the New Nation lesson plans (see below). For more primary source sets and … [Read more...]

Immerse yourself in the practice of teaching with primary sources from the unparalleled collections of Library of Congress this summer. Apply to attend a week-long professional development program for K-12 educators in the nation's capital.

In 2018, the Library will offer five Institute weeks:

Open Sessions (any subject area): June 18-June 22, June 25-June 29, and July 30-August 3

Immerse yourself in the practice of teaching with primary sources from the unparalleled collections of Library of Congress this summer. Apply to attend a week-long professional development program for K-12 educators in the nation's capital.

In 2018, the Library will offer five Institute weeks:

Open Sessions (any subject area): June 18-June 22, June 25-June 29, and July 30-August 3

Immerse yourself in the practice of teaching with primary sources from the unparalleled collections of Library of Congress this summer. Apply to attend a week-long professional development program for K-12 educators in the nation's capital.

In 2018, the Library will offer five Institute weeks:

Open Sessions (any subject area): June 18-June 22, June 25-June 29, and July 30-August 3

Participants in the Technological Innovations and Patents colloquium will examine primary sources from the Library of Congress and the United States Patent and Trademark Office in exploring the history of government’s role in shaping technology and promoting innovation. One of the few specific functions spelled out in the Constitution is that the federal government should issue patents to allow inventors to protect their discoveries. This colloquium will examine the effects of the patent system. Has it, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius?” Teachers selected will work under the guidance of a colloquium team to create primary source lessons and resources for their classroom.

This TIAH colloquium is a collaboration between NCHE and the Teaching with Primary Sources Program of the Library of Congress and takes place at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Details:

Each participant will receive a $500 stipend to offset costs associated with attendance (ex. travel or hotel costs). Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the venue for participants on each day of the colloquium. Each attendee will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the National Council for History Education and will be eligible for additional professional growth opportunities via follow-up webinars and the annual NCHE conference.

Voting & Elections in Early America

TPS Programs

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, since 2004 TPS-Barat has provided free, engaging, inquiry-based learning materials that use Library primary sources to foster understanding and application of civics, literacy, history, math, science, and the arts.
The mission of the national Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program is to: build of the Library’s educational initiatives; provide content that promotes the effective educational of the Library’s resources; and offer access to and promote sustained use of the Library’s educational
resources.
Learn more about Teaching with Primary Sources by visiting www.loc.gov/teachers.